General manager Terry Ryan added another pitcher to the Twins' ever-growing list of prospects for 2012, signing right-hander Rich Harden to a minor league contract Friday, Dec. 21, and inviting the free agent to major league training camp.

Harden, 31, is another reclamation project. He missed last season after having January surgery on his right rotator cuff.

"This one's worth trying," Ryan said. "Harden's been a good pitcher in the major leagues. He's got good pitches, and if he gets back to health, it certainly will be good for us and good for him."

Harden has a 59-38 career record and 3.76 earned-run average in nine seasons with the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers. His fastball has been clocked at close to 95 mph.

He's known for becoming the 38th big-league pitcher to strike out three batters on nine pitches in one inning while pitching for Oakland against the Los Angeles Angels on June 8, 2008.

Ryan said the Twins' medical personnel examined Harden on Thursday and pronounced him worthy of a look. Harden could start, pitch out of the bullpen or begin the season in the minors "if he's healthy," Ryan said. "It may take some time."